The Wine-And-Cola Cocktail You'll Be Sipping All Summer Long
Cocktails come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. History states that people have been indulging in mixed drinks for hundreds of years — possibly as far back as the 17th century, per The Spruce Eats. Many of these boozy beverages have unique origin stories that make the serving and/or drinking experience even more enjoyable. For example, did you know the first martini was whipped up in the town of Martinez, California during the Gold Rush? And the Moscow Mule, despite its name, was actually invented in Los Angeles, as told by The Daily Meal. While some of the most well-known cocktail recipes call for distilled spirits or liqueurs, there are a number of beloved concoctions that involve other categories of alcohol, such as beer and wine.
One particular wine-based cocktail has been a bar favorite over the past century and has only risen in popularity since its debut. Hint: To make this classic drink, you'll just need a bottle of your favorite red wine and a vessel of Coca-Cola.
Calimocho is a wine-and-cola cocktail born in Spain
If you appreciate the occasional glass of red wine and also happen to be a fan of carbonated cola, the calimocho may be your new go-to cocktail. The calimocho — often stylized as kalimotxo — has arguably the easiest recipe ever: One part red wine, one part Coke. That's it! Wine Insiders, which describes the calimocho as the grown-up version of cherry cola, recommends garnishing your class with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon or lime wedge. While the combination may sound off-putting or bizarre to some, advocates swear by its dazzling effervescence and surprisingly delicious, pleasantly sweet flavor.
According to VinePair, the calimocho cocktail originated in Spain in the 1920s. A fascinating theory behind the mixture of wine and Coca-Cola states that the soda's dominant sweetness had the power to hide the flavor of poorly made or oxidized wine. The cocktail was served during a Spanish festival in the 1970s and was an instant hit among fairgoers. Today, calimocho appears on menus all around the world and has become an icon in its own right. Salud to that!